Radio

Prof Brian Cox stresses importance of scientific research

Brian Cox said the modern world is built on the shoulders of people who played around with things and made discoveries

Physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox has advised the Government not to shift the emphasis away from funding basic research towards more applied science, saying it was not a good idea.

Speaking to RTÉ Science and Technology Correspondent Will Goodbody ahead of his lecture at UCD's new science centre, Prof Cox said governments make that reflex decision when they don't think too hard and don't understand what is happening.

He said the job of universities is to generate knowledge and educate people.